LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Ah, the optimism of youth.

As the home team Bulldogs booters of Sullivan West headed over to the sidelines for a halftime chat with their assistant coach, while trailing the opposition 3-0, #23 John Adams paused briefly by the bench this sports scribbler was sitting on and asked if he was reporting on the match.

When informed that yes indeed, the game would be featured in the local weekly, Adams said the lead should be, in essence, “Sullivan West stages a comeback and wins 4-3.”

Well, that optimistic prediction didn’t materialize; on September 16, in the second half, the Spartans of S.S. Seward added three more goals in the final frame to defeat the Bulldogs 6-0.

The action in the goal was fast and furious, as Sullivan West’s keeper Aiden Scardino fended off 19 shots on goal, while Seward’s goalie Austin Harty made 8 keeper saves.

Sullivan West (1-3) boasts a six-pack of seniors and is coached by Kristina Verrico, assisted by Alex Broz. The team is captained on the field of play by seniors Landen Boyd and Charlie Kutschera.

Seward (3-0), fielding a squad of 11 upperclassmen, is helmed by veteran coach Bill Steele, and is captained by senior Izzee Sarki.